Word formation

[albertino]

How do I know whether "-er" or "-or" should be added in the formation of a noun, such as acter/actor, informer/informor? Any rule could be followed?
Thank you.

[Anglika]

Not that I know. You just have to learn them.

[bianca]

Check out this link:

Words ending -er, -or, and -ar

"Verbs ending in a silent e usually change to nouns by ending -er:
dive/diver wade/wader write/writer avenge/avenger "

and so on...

[albertino]

Check out this link:

Words ending -er, -or, and -ar

"Verbs ending in a silent e usually change to nouns by ending -er:
dive/diver wade/wader write/writer avenge/avenger "

and so on...

What a wonderful site, thank you very much.
But bianca, how to play this trick with words ending in -ar:
"Mispronouncing the ending so that it rhymes with the -ar- in market is a handy memory trick."

[BobK]

Check out this link:

Words ending -er, -or, and -ar

"Verbs ending in a silent e usually change to nouns by ending -er:
dive/diver wade/wader write/writer avenge/avenger "

and so on...

Thanks for that link, bianca. I'd add another (imperfect) rule of thumb. If the root verb can stand alone (with the appropriate meaning), the ending is usually -er. An author doesn't auth but a writer writes. Like most rules, this has exceptions - for example an actor acts, and a tinker doesn't tink.

b

[blouen]

Thanks for that link, bianca. I'd add another (imperfect) rule of thumb. If the root verb can stand alone (with the appropriate meaning), the ending is usually -er. An author doesn't auth but a writer writes. Like most rules, this has exceptions - for example an actor acts, and a tinker doesn't tink.

b

That's very helpful!

[albertino]

That's very helpful!

Yeah, I couldn't agree more.

[albertino]

But could I ask how to play this trick with words ending in -ar?
"Mispronouncing the ending so that it rhymes with the -ar- in market is a handy memory trick."

[BobK]

But could I ask how to play this trick with words ending in -ar?
"Mispronouncing the ending so that it rhymes with the -ar- in market is a handy memory trick."

Yes, this one confused me. I think what it is suggesting is that you remember these words as - for example - /sımı'lɑ:/. You have this mispronunciation as a mental image, although you actually pronounce the word correctly /'sımılǝ/.

I'm not sure I agree with this trick.

b